Optimized Methods for Measuring Brain Excitability in Depression

Summary

The goal of this study is to improve depression treatment by establishing reliable prefrontal excitability markers through Targeting with Automated Real-time Guidance for Enhancing TEPs (TARGET).

Eligibility

Age range

18–65 years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Interventions

• Device
  Active Single-Pulse TMS

  Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation is delivered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex using a MagVenture X100 stimulator and B65 A/P coil across predefined locations, coil angles, and stimulation intensities.

• Device
  Sham Single-Pulse TMS

  Sham single-pulse TMS is delivered using a flipped coil and concurrent scalp electrical stimulation to mimic auditory and somatosensory sensations without producing cortical stimulation.

• Device
  TARGET-optimized TMS

  Single-pulse TMS parameters (location, angle, and intensity) are adjusted in real time using the TARGET closed-loop algorithm based on concurrent EEG measurements to deliver optimized stimulation.

• Device
  Non-optimized (Open-Loop) TMS

  Single-pulse TMS is delivered using a predefined open-loop set of stimulation parameter combinations across multiple dlPFC locations, coil angles, and intensities without real-time adjustment.

• Other
  EEG Recording

  Participants undergo concurrent 64-channel TMS-compatible scalp EEG recording during stimulation to measure TMS-evoked neural responses.

Locations (2)